Gosden to blossom in Rose of Lancaster
THE Rose of Lancaster Stakes at Haydock appears a perfect opportunity for the prolific Wissahickon to make a winning return.
John Gosden’s colt turned the Cambridgeshire into a procession last September, since when he has won the Quebec Stakes, the Winter Derby Trial and the Winter Derby itself on the all-weather at Lingfield.
He suffered a shock defeat on his most recent outing in the Easter Classic on Good Friday, but there were mitigating factors as he was trapped wide for much of the way, and perhaps it was just one run too many after a busy winter.
Some of the subsequent performances produced by the winner, Matterhorn, also make Wissahickon’s effort to finish second a little more meritorious than it appeared at the time.
Gosden’s charge has enjoyed a freshening up period and remains very much unexposed on turf after just three runs.
The Charlie Fellowes-trained Mayfair Spirit can complete a hat-trick at the Merseyside circuit in the Vulcan Village Handicap. The Charm Spirit gelding is enjoying an excellent three-yearold campaign, improving significantly from his juvenile year to win four of his six starts in 2019 so far.
He has already risen 15lb in the process, but he had a little in hand when scoring by a length on his latest visit to Haydock and the runner-up, Mutasaamy, has since won emphatically.
Mayfair Spirit is only 4lb higher for that latest triumph and it might not be enough to stop him going in again on a track he clearly enjoys. Soffika can maintain her unbeaten record in the german-thoroughbred.com Sweet Solera Stakes at Newmarket.
For one of Sir Michael Stoute’s, the Zoffany filly was sent off at a generous-looking 5-1 in a novice event at Pontefract — a price that looked even bigger as she went on to win some authority.
It looks significant that Stoute jumps straight from a race of that nature to a Group Three, and the hint should be taken.
It is Dubai Duty Free Shergar Cup day at Ascot and the admirable Danzeno can get punters off to a flyer in the opening Dash.
Aircraft Carrier is a sporting each-way selection following a gelding operation in the Stayers race.
SELECTIONS:
ASCOT: 1.05 Danzeno, 1.40 Aircraft Carrier, 2.15 Koeman, 2.50 Nicholas T, 3.25 Vivid Diamond, 4.00 Victory Day.
AYR: 5.20 Spirit Of Sarwan, 5.55 Mitty’s Smile, 6.25 Jacob’s Pillow, 6.55 Dandy’s Beano, 7.25 Maulesdon May, 7.55 Grab And Run, 8.25 Hugoigo.
CHELMSFORD: 1.35 Global Storm, 2.10 Alma Linda, 2.45 Watchable, 3.20 Buckman Tavern, 3.55 California Love, 4.30 Habub, 5.00 Muraaqeb..
HAYDOCK: 1.25 Bring Us Paradise, 1.55 Mayfair Spirit, 2.30 Feliciana De Vega, 3.05 WISSAHICKON (NAP), 3.40 Antagonize, 4.15 Spirit Power, 4.45 Jonah Jones. KILBEGGAN: 5.35 Mooltazem, 6.05 Conrad Hastings, 6.35 Hard Bought, 7.05 Guiri, 7.35 City Hall, 8.05 Rocky Court, 8.35 Rian Thomas.
LINGFIELD: 5.10 Oliver Hardy, 5.45 Five Diamonds, 6.15 Johan, 6.45 Classic Star, 7.15 Jane Victoria, 7.45 Crimewave, 8.15 Kodiak Attack.
NEWMARKET: 2.00 Call Me Katie, 2.35 Tomfre, 3.10 Motawaj, 3.45 Soffika, 4.20 Qaysar, 4.55 Victory Chime, 5.30 Toshima. REDCAR: 1.15 Calippo, 1.45 Burning Topic, 2.20 Spiorad, 2.55 Mutaraffa, 3.30 Golden Parade, 4.05 Country, 4.35 Nearly There, 5.05 Jan De Heem.
DOUBLE: Wissahickon and Motawaj.